HEBRON — Newton senior Brady McBride’s final high school race at the Division III state cross country championships at National Trail Raceway was an emotional one for his coach.

Understandable, considering that just happened to be his mother Tiffany.

“I think I was crying most of the race,” Tiffany McBride said.

Her son made sure they were tears of joy, placing himself on the podium for the first time with an eighth-place finish in 16:06.4.

“That is great,” Tiffany McBride said. “I am so proud of him.”

Brady McBride had no complaints about his final race.

“I allowed myself to get extra optimistic a few times this week and thought a top five finish would be great,” Brady McBride said. “But, I wanted to be in the top 10. I really can’t think of a better way to finish it.”

It was quick race from the start, as defending state champion Tristan Dahmen of Maplewood set a fast pace en route to winning again in 15:18.8.

“The first mile was really quick,” Tiffany McBride said. “For Brady (McBride) too. My husband (Pat McBride) said Brady’s legs looked heavy at the first mile. But, he was able to pick some guys off in the second mile.”

Brady McBride knew it was a fast pace.

“The first mile was really quick,” he said. “The second mile was even quicker. I didn’t feel like I was slowing down. I felt like those guys were getting quicker. I just hoped some of those guys would come back to me and a few of them did.”

McBride looked forward to the trip onto the podium — and a big reception when he returned to Pleasant Hill.

“It is a really close community,” he said. “After I won the regional (last Saturday) I went to the soccer game. It was unbelievable how many people came up to me and said something to me.”

And those fun runs his mom had started him in when he was a young boy seemed far off Saturday.

“This (finishing eighth at state) feels great,” McBride said. “Back when I was doing that, I never knew if I would make it here. This feels great.”

As for Saturday, Brady McBride viewed it as his last race — until the next one he runs.

“I have got the Nike meet next week,” he said. “I still have track in the spring — and I have college. This was far from my last race.”

And when that race comes, he will feel the same emotions his coach — and mother — was feeling Saturday.

Rob Kiser is Sports Editor for the Daily Call. He can be reached at (937) 451-3334.

Brady McBride (847) Newton stays at the front of the pack during boys’ Division III state cross country at National Trail Raceway on Saturday. McBride finished eighth.

http://dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_110715mju_cc_newton_bradymcbride.jpgBrady McBride (847) Newton stays at the front of the pack during boys’ Division III state cross country at National Trail Raceway on Saturday. McBride finished eighth.